Utility locking hook

Abstract

A utility locking hook is adapted to be threadably mounted to a wall, support beam or other support structure for suspending a ladder or like objects for storage purposes. A retainer plate is pivotally mounted to a support bar and cooperates with the support bar to provide an efficient means for locking the suspended ladder in place. The support bar has a central quasi U-shaped configuration for receiving the ladder and includes a retainer head which is engaged by an enclosing portion of the retainer plate for locking purposes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A utility locking hook comprising: elongated bar means, said bar means being fabricated from metal stock having a generally circular cross-section and having a central elongated linear object support section which defines an axis, a first leg integral with and extending at the first end thereof from one end of said linear section in a direction generally perpendicular to said axis, a retainer head portion integral with and extending from said first leg at the second end thereof, a shaped portion be in at least part of said head portion providing a pair of opposing generally parallel surfaces, a head protion aperture extending through said head portion and intersecting said surfaces, a second leg integral with and extending at the first end thereof from the other end of said linear section in a direction generally parallel to said first leg, said second leg being longer than said first leg, and a mounting shaft integral with and extending at the first end thereof from the second end of said second leg, said mounting shaft having an axis which is oriented generally parallel to said axis of said linear section, said mounting shaft having a tapered threaded portion which extends from the second end thereof toward said second leg; and elongated retainer plate means, said retainer plate means having a first aperture and a second aperture, said first aperture being sized and shaped to permit said elongated bar means second leg and mounting shaft to pass therethrough whereby said retainer plate means may be installed on said second leg for pivotally mounting said plate means to said bar means in a manner which will permit rotation of said plate means for at least an angular displacement of 180° about an axis which is generally transverse to the axis of said linear support section while said plate means remains pivotally mounted to said bar means, the size and shape of said first aperture being insufficient to permit the passage of said shaped portion of said head portion of said bar means therethrough whereby said plate means cannot be removed from said bar means when said bar means mounting shaft is engaged with a mounting surface, said second aperture being sized and positioned relative to said first aperture to permit alignment thereof with said head portion aperture, said plate means having catch means thereon for preventing said plate means from pivoting about said transverse axis relative to said second leg on alignment of said head portion aperture and said second aperture and engagement of said plate means against said retainer head portion.   
     
     
       2. The utility locking hook of claim 1 wherein the plate means comprises an elongated plate and the catch means comprises a pair of spaced parallel skirt members extending generally perpendicularly to the plate. 
     
     
       3. The utility locking hook of claim 1 wherein the plate means is axially positionable along said second leg and said plate means is pivotally positionable so that said second aperture aligns with said retainer head portion aperture, said plate means engages said retainer head portion, and said plate means and central section are substantially parallel.